Greasable bearing assembly

Abstract

A seal for a roller bearing assembly includes a ring-shaped main body having an axial facing inner face. An intake opening is disposed through the main body that extends to the inner face. A securing member is formed on the inner face and is configured to mateably couple with a roller bearing between an inner ring and an outer ring of the roller bearing.

1 . A seal for a roller bearing assembly, comprising:
 a ring-shaped main body comprising an axial facing inner face;   an intake opening disposed through the main body that extends to the inner face; and   a securing member formed on the inner face and configured to mateably couple with a roller bearing, wherein the securing member comprises an upper lip and a lower lip separated by a grease channel, wherein the upper lip and the lower lip are configured to be disposed between an inner ring and an outer ring of the roller bearing when the securing member is coupled with the roller bearing.   
     
     
         2 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the main body further comprises a radial facing outer surface adjacent the inner face and wherein the intake opening disposed through the seal extends from the outer surface to the inner face. 
     
     
         3 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is formed of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 
     
     
         4 . The seal of  claim 1 , further comprising a zerk in fluid communication with the intake opening. 
     
     
         5 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein an outflow opening is formed in the seal opposite the intake opening to allow excess grease to exit the seal. 
     
     
         6 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is configured to replace a conventional shield of the roller bearing and convert the roller bearing into a greasable roller bearing when the securing member is mateably coupled with the roller bearing. 
     
     
         7 . A seal for a roller bearing assembly, comprising:
 a ring-shaped main body comprising an axial facing inner face;   an intake opening disposed through the main body that extends to the inner face; and   a securing member formed on the inner face and configured to be press fit into a roller bearing between an inner ring and an outer ring of the roller bearing.   
     
     
         8 . The seal of  claim 7 , wherein the securing member further comprises a lip formed on the inner face and configured to couple with the roller bearing between the inner ring and the outer ring of the roller bearing. 
     
     
         9 . The seal of  claim 7 , wherein the main body further comprises a radial facing outer surface adjacent the inner face and wherein the intake opening disposed through the seal extends from the outer surface to the inner face. 
     
     
         10 . The seal of  claim 7 , wherein the seal is formed of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 
     
     
         11 . The seal of  claim 7 , further comprising a zerk in fluid communication with the intake opening. 
     
     
         12 . The seal of  claim 7 , wherein an outflow opening is formed in the seal opposite the intake opening to allow excess grease to exit the seal. 
     
     
         13 . The seal of  claim 7 , wherein the seal is configured to replace a conventional shield of the roller bearing and convert the roller bearing into a greasable roller bearing when the securing member is mateably coupled with the roller bearing. 
     
     
         14 . A seal for a roller bearing assembly, comprising:
 a ring-shaped main body comprising an axial facing inner face;   an intake opening disposed through the main body that extends to the inner face; and   a securing member formed on the inner face and configured to mateably couple with a roller bearing between an inner ring and an outer ring of the roller bearing.   
     
     
         15 . The seal of  claim 14 , wherein the securing member further comprises a lip formed on the inner face and configured to couple with the roller bearing between the inner ring and the outer ring of the roller bearing. 
     
     
         16 . The seal of  claim 14 , wherein the main body further comprises a radial facing outer surface adjacent the inner face and wherein the intake opening disposed through the seal extends from the outer surface to the inner face. 
     
     
         17 . The seal of  claim 14 , wherein the seal is formed of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 
     
     
         18 . The seal of  claim 14 , further comprising a zerk in fluid communication with the intake opening. 
     
     
         19 . The seal of  claim 14 , wherein an outflow opening is formed in the seal opposite the intake opening to allow excess grease to exit the seal. 
     
     
         20 . The seal of  claim 14 , wherein the seal is configured to replace a conventional shield of the roller bearing and convert the roller bearing into a greasable roller bearing when the securing member is mateably coupled with the roller bearing.